Flores Taka Bonerate Sailing 7 Days 6 Nights Sailing

Taka Bone Rate National Park is a marine park which includes the Takabonerate atoll islands, located in the Flores Sea, south of Sulawesi island of Indonesia.

The area, which consists of the atoll islands and surrounding marine area was granted national park protection status in 1992.

In 2015 the Taka Bone Rate National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Stretching south of the main island of Sulawesi in the Flores Sea, the Taka Bonerate National Park in the Selayar Regency is predominantly a rich marine park , but it is also habitat to a number of bird species from land birds, to coastal and sea birds that frolic on the many sand dunes.

The Island of Selayar is the gateway to this extensive 530,765 hectares national park, of which 220,000 hectares form an expanse of atolls and lagoons. Taka Bonerate is the third largest atoll region in the world after Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and Suvadiva in the Maldives.

Taka Bonerate, together with Wakatobi, Ambon, Banda and Raja Ampat together with Bunaken as well as Derawan in Kalimantan, are at the heart of the Coral Triangle which stretches from the Solomon Islands in the east, to the Philippines in the north, to Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Flores and the Savu Sea in the south, which forms the base of this huge triangle. Besides atolls, this national park comprises 21 islands.

The crystal clear waters offer a wide range of reefs, from barrier reefs to fringing reefs and atolls to steep drop-offs, as well as slopes and flat seabeds, all offering opportunities for beginners to professional divers to test their skill and be amazed by the wonderful beauty of this underwater sea life. Besides the 242 species of corals, Taka Bonerate boasts 526 species of colorful and strange reef fish as well as 112 species of macro algae.

Divers will be able to get close and swim with dolphins, turtles, manta rays, sometimes spot sharks, or sperm whales, and be enthralled by the giant gorgonian fans, black corals, scorpion fish, nudibranch, tuna, trevallies, napoleon wrasse and more that make up this unbelievable, pristine underwater paradise. You will also find hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Pacific ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivicea), and green turtles (chelonia mydas). Indeed, Taka Bonerate is said to have one of the world’s highest marine diversity. The Park has over 50 fantastic dive sites, a number are by the island of Tinabo, others are near the islands of Kahabia, Belang-Belang, and Taka Lamungan.

Best time to dive is between April to mid-May, and October to mid-November when the soft easterly winds do not whip up the waves. Winds are still reasonable between October through May. But during the west monsoon winds are liable to raise waves to two meters or higher. All ferries will stop operation when waves are dangerously high.

The local population, who lives mostly on and around the island of Selayar are predominantly Bugis, known for their superb craftmanship in boat building, and the Bajau sea gypsies.

Geography Taka Bone Rate is administered as part of Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi province. The atoll is located in Flores Sea, southeast off the coast from the southern "arms" of Sulawesi Island and to the east of Selayar Island. It is located west of Wakatobi islands and far north of Komodo island across the Flores Sea. The nearest large city is Makassar, from where it can be reached in about 16 hours by boat.

With an area of 530,765 hectares which has an atoll expanse of 220,000 hectares, Taka Bone Rate meaning 'coral islands over sand' is the biggest atoll in Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, and the third biggest in the world after Kwajalein Atoll and Suvadiva.

With an area of 530,765 hectares which has an atoll expanse of 220,000 hectares, Taka Bone Rate meaning 'coral islands over sand' is the biggest atoll in Indonesia, and Southeast Asia,[6] and the third biggest in the world after Kwajalein Atoll and Suvadiva.

The atoll consists of separate table reefs enclosing a lagoon filled with massive reefs. The atoll has 21 islands, eight of which are inhabited. There are 15 islands for diving and snorkeling. The main island is Tinabo Island with 1.500x500 meters square and white smooth sandy beach as baby powder. Tinabo Island is 4 hours sail by rental boat from Benteng in Selayar Island. The best month to visit is March till mid-May and mid-September till December.

The natives of the atoll are the Bonerate people. They traditionally trade for fishery sea products from the Bajau in exchange for freshwater and other land supply. The Bonerate are predominantly Muslim, although with strong elements of traditional beliefs.

They speak the Bonerate language, a Celebic language, and like most languages of Indonesia part of the greater Austronesian languages. Their closest linguistic relations is with people in the neighbouring Buton, Wakatobi and Muna Island in Southeast Sulawesi. Most also speak Indonesian.

The atoll is of major ecological importance, with rich marine and bird life. The national park is considered to contain some of the world's highest marine biodiversity.[11] According to the Indonesian Department of Forestry the atoll has 261 species of coral, 295 species of coral fish, 244 species of mollusc and other species such as hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Pacific ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Day 02: Jampea-Kauna Island-Tinabo ( B,L,D )Arrive in Jampea village, Visit the fishing village and have the coconut drinks from the local, continue sail to Kauna island where one of the best island in this cruise, this beautiful island of Kauna have beautiful underwater and 6 sandbar islands. Afternoon sail to Tinabo and overnight.

Day 03: Tinabo-Tinabo Atoll ( B,L,D )Enjoy the full day stay in Tinabo Islands and the atoll, lunch provided on the boat, sunset time walk around the island and enjoy the paradise, Dinner serve on the boat and overnight.

Day 04: Tinabo-Taka Lamungan-Rajuni Island ( B,L,D )After breakfast, sail to Lamungan atoll and enjoy the underwater of Taka bonerate, Snorkeling there till lunch time and afternoon sailing to Rajuni island and walk around the fisherman village of Rajuni. Overnight.

Day 05: Rajuni Island-Pinang Beach-Bonelohe ( B,L,D )After breakfast leave Rajuni island and sail to Pinang beach which takes around 4 hours, enjoy the sailing and by lunch time arrive in Pinang beach and snorkeling and swimming or just beach combing. Afternoon continue sailing to Bonelohe bay and overnight.

Day 06: Bonelohe Bay-Kambing Island-Liukang Island ( B,L,D )After breakfast, snorkeling at Bonelohe bay beach and before lunch sailing to Kambing island, Snorkeling at Kambing island and in the afternoon sail to Liukang Island and overnight.